British Standard

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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 1968:1953
Incorporating
Amendment
Nos. 1 and 2

Specification for

Floats for ballvalves

(copper)
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 March 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
 BS 1968:1953

Co-operating organizations

The Sanitary Appliances Industry Standards Committee, under whose

supervision this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives
from the following Government departments and scientific and industrial
organizations:

Admiralty Metal Sink Manufacturers’ Association

British Bath Manufacturers’ Association
British Ironfounders’ Association*
British Plastics Federation
British Sanitary Earthenware Manufacturers’
Association
British Sanitary Fireclay Association
British Waterworks Association*
D.S.I.R. — Building Research Station*
Flushing Cistern Makers’ Association*
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Ministry of Housing and Local Government*
Ministry of Works*
National Brassfoundry Association*
National Federation of Building Trades
Employers
National General Export Merchants Group
Royal Institute of British Architects*
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Royal Sanitary Institute*

Institute of Plumbers* Sanitary Inspectors’ Association

Institution of Municipal Engineers* Scottish Federation of Plumbers and Domestic
Institution of Sanitary Engineers Engineers (Employers) Associations
London County Council Water Companies Association*

The Government departments and scientific and industrial organizations

marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the following, were
directly represented on the committee entrusted with the preparation of this
British Standard:—

Associated Master Plumbers and Domestic
Engineers
Association of Heating, Ventilating and
Domestic Engineering Employers
British Electrical Development Association
British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’
Association
British Non-Ferrous Metals Research
Association
Building Industries National Council
B.W.A. Licensees Association
Copper Ball Manufacturers’ Association
Copper Tube Fittings Manufacturers’
Association
Crown Agents for the Colonies
Distributors of Builders’ Supplies Joint Council
Electric Water Heater Manufacturers’
Association
Institute of British Foundrymen
Institution of Gas Engineers
Institution of Heating and Ventilating
Engineers
Institution of Water Engineers
London Chamber of Commerce
Metropolitan Water Board
Society of British Gas Industries
Urban District Council’s Association

Amendments issued since publication

This British Standard, having
been approved by the Sanitary Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
Appliances Industry Standards
Committee and endorsed by 3220 November
the Chairman of the Building
Divisional Council, was 1958
published under the authority
of the General Council on 4667 September Indicated by a sideline in the margin
8 May 1953 1962
© BSI 10-1999

ISBN 0 580 35579 9

 BS 1968:1953

Contents

Page
Co-operating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 General 1
4 Materials 1
5 Jointing of copper floats 1
6 Floats other than spherical 2
7 Bosses and fitments 2
8 Tolerances 2
9 Tests 2
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10 Marking 2
Appendix Information to be supplied by the purchaser 3
Table 1 — Spherical copper floats 4
Table 2 — Classification of bosses for use with
classes A, B and C floats 5
Table 3a — Bosses for classes A and C floats with
soldered and brazed joints 6
Table 3b — Bosses for class B floats with solderless joints 7
Table 4 — Weight of boss for classes A and C floats and
of boss and fitments for class B floats 8
Table 5 — Assembled weight of spherical copper floats
including solder or other jointing material 8

© BSI 10-1999 i
 BS 1968:1953

Foreword

This standard makes reference to the following British Standards:—

BS 84, Screw threads of Whitworth form.
BS 218, Brass bars and sections (suitable for forging) and drop forgings.
BS 219, Soft solders.
BS 427, Tables of diamond pyramid hardness numbers.
BS 899, Cold rolled copper sheets and strip (half-hard and annealed) for general
purposes.
BS 1212, Ballvalves (“Portsmouth” type) excluding floats.
BS 1400, Copper alloy ingots and castings.
BS 1845, Filler alloys for brazing (silver solders and brazing solders).
This British Standard specifies requirements for copper floats for use with
ballvalves and has been issued to facilitate the manufacture — as separate items,
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 March 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

to be purchasable as such — of floats suitable for ballvalves complying with the

requirements of BS 1212, “Ballvalves (“Portsmouth” type)” and other types of
ballvalve requiring floats of this description. Reference should be made to
BS 1212 for permissible alternative types of float for use with ballvalves
complying with that specification.
For information regarding the correct size of float to use for a particular size of
ballvalve, or range of pressure, where the leverage exerted is not less than that
specified in BS 1212, reference should be made to Table 2 of this standard and
also to BS 1212.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 10-1999

1 Scope
This British Standard specifies requirements for a
range of spherical copper floats
of 41/2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 inches nominal
diameter suitable for attachment to the ballvalves
specified in BS 1212 and to ballvalves the leverage
of which for the same bore of seat is not less than
that specified in BS 1212, in the following classes:—
Class A. Floats of all sizes with soldered joints.
Class B. Floats of all sizes with solderless joints.
Class C. Floats of all sizes with brazed, welded or
silver-soldered joints.
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Performance requirements relating to floats of a
shape other than spherical are also included.
2 Definitions
For the purposes of this British Standard the
following definitions shall apply:—
2.1
volume
the volume of water in cubic inches, taken to the
nearest cubic inch, displaced when the shell
(float with no boss) is completely immersed
2.2
free-floating, volume
the volume of water in cubic inches, taken to the
nearest cubic inch, displaced when the shell
(float with no boss) is resting on water
2.3
useful volume
half the volume (see definition 2.1 above) less the
free-floating volume (see definition 2.2 above) taken
to the nearest cubic inch
2.4
lifting effort
the useful volume (see definition 2.3 above)
converted into weight in pounds at the rate
of 0.036 lb. per cubic inch (Shown calculated in
Table 1 for the minimum weight of shell.)
2.5
maximum immersed operating depth
the point at which the volume (see definition 2.1
above) is equally above and below the surface of the
water
2.6
diameter of spherical floats
the average outside diameter of the shell measured
at two axes at right angles to each other and clear of
the jointing seam
1)
BS 427, “Method for Vickers hardness test”, Part 1, “Testing of metals”.
© BSI 10-1999
BS 1968:1953
3 General
The shells of copper floats shall comply with the
requirements of Clauses 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, and
shall be of the dimensions and weights given in
Table 1. They shall be fitted with bosses complying
with the requirements of Clause 7 and Table 2,
Table 3a, Table 3b and Table 4. The complete float
shall comply with the weight requirements of
Table 5 and shall not be artificially loaded for this
purpose.
After manufacture, the copper used for floats shall
be left in a planished, condition and shall have a
minimum Vickers hardness (HV) of 70 at any one
point when tested with a 5 kgf load applied in
accordance with the requirements of BS 427-11)
Table 3.
4 Materials
The chemical, composition of the materials of which
the float is made shall be not less suitable than that
laid down in the following British Standards:—
a) Copper for the shell: BS 899, “Cold rolled
copper sheets and strip for general purposes”.
b) Alloy for cast bosses: BS 1400, “Copper alloy
ingots and castings”. Complying with either
Specification BS 1400-B1-C for brass castings or
for Specification BS 1400-LG2-C for leaded
gunmetal castings.
c) Alloy for hot pressed bosses: BS 218, “Brass
bars and sections (suitable for forging) and drop
forgings”.
d) Solder: BS 219, “Soft solders”, complying with
Type F, Table 2, “Non-antimonial solders” or
BS 1845, “Filler alloys for brazing”, complying
with the requirements for silver bearing brazing
alloy, Types 4 or 5 or with the requirements for
brazing brasses, Grades 8, 9 or 10.
5 Jointing of copper floats
The jointing of the shells shall be in accordance with
one of the methods given below, provided that when
floats are required for use in water at a temperature
exceeding 37.8 °C. (100 °F.) they shall be jointed as
specified for Class C. The purchaser shall specify
the method of jointing required. The methods of
jointing are as follows:—
Class A floats. An efficient, burnished, lapped and
soldered seam.
1
 BS 1968:1953
Class B floats. An efficient, solderless, compressed
seam with a jointing ring of rubber or other equally
suitable material, either extending right through
the joint or otherwise arranged to prevent the joint
ring from extruding into the shell and thus
unsealing the joint.
Class C floats. A brazed, bronze welded or
silver-soldered joint.
6 Floats other than spherical
Floats of a shape other than spherical shall have a
“lifting effort” at least equal to that of a spherical
float intended for the same duty, as given
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in Table 1, and shall be not less robust.
7 Bosses and fitments
Bosses shall be either:—
a) Brass (pressed or forged).
b) Cast brass (die cast or sand cast).
c) Cast gunmetal.
Fitments (rivets and washers or like methods of
attachment) for Class B floats shall be either:—
a) Copper — for rivets or washers.
b) Brass — for washers only.
Every boss shall comply with one of the
classifications set out in Table 2 and shall be in
accordance with the appropriate dimensions given
in Table 3a or Table 3b. The bottom of the tapped
hole shall not extend through the flange.
Spherical floats of all diameters shall be fitted with
the appropriate size of tapped boss set out
in Table 2, except that when so ordered the size of
the tapping may be varied to suit special conditions.
The boss shall be fitted to the shell in the following
manner:—
Class A floats. The boss shall be located centrally
astride the seam and shall be properly soldered to
the shell. The soldering shall extend across the full
width (see Dimension “H”, Table 3a) of the edge of
the flange. A slot shall be cut in the flange of the
boss to accommodate the seam of the shell.
Class B floats. The boss shall be in accordance with
Table 2 and Table 3b. The flange shall be
non-recessed; it shall be shaped to suit the curved
face of the shell, to which it shall be securely fixed,
on an axis at right angles to the plane of the seam,
by riveting or other equally efficient method.
2)
A joint arrangement has been made between the British Waterworks Association and the BSI under which ballvalve floats
made to this specification may be certified as complying with its provisions. Details of the conditions under which licences are
issued for the use of the appropriate certification marks may be obtained from the Association, at 34 Park Street London, W.1.
and from the British Standards Institution, at 2 Park Street, London, W.1.
2 © BSI 10-1999
Class C floats. The alloy of which the boss is made
shall be suitable for brazing. The boss shall be
located centrally astride the seam and properly
brazed to the shell. The brazing shall extend across
the full width (see Dimension “H”, Table 3a) of the
edge of the flange. A slot shall be cut in the flange of
the boss to accommodate the seam of the shell.
8 Tolerances
a) The volume of the shell shall be as given in
Table 1, for each size, with a tolerance
of ± 5 per cent.
b) The minimum weights of copper shells of
Classes A, B and C shall be as set out in Table 1.
c) The weight and dimensions (excluding
Dimension A) of bosses shall be as set out in
Table 3a, Table 3b and Table 4 with a tolerance
of ± 5 per cent. Dimension A shall be in
accordance with the requirements of BS 84,
“Screw threads of Whitworth form”.
d) The minimum assembled weight of completed
spherical floats, including solder or other jointing
material, shall be as set out in Table 5, subject to
the tolerances permitted under a), b) and c)
above.
9 Tests
Every finished float shall be tested by immersion for
not less than two minutes, in water having a
temperature of not less than 17 °C. (30 °F.) above
the temperature of the surrounding air.
There shall be no leakage of air from the float when
so immersed.
10 Marking2)
Every float supplied as being in accordance with
this British Standard shall be legibly and
permanently marked with the information
indicated below, in such a manner as not to damage
or distort the float:
a) Manufacturer’s name or trade mark.
b) The number of this British Standard,
i.e. BS 1968.
 BS 1968:1953

Appendix Information to be supplied

by the purchaser
The purchaser shall supply the following
information when making an enquiry, or placing an
order:—
a) Size and class of floats required.
b) The material for jointing, if Class C floats are
required.
c) The appropriate tapping of boss required
(see Table 2 and Clause 7).
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© BSI 10-1999 3
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 March 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Table 1 — Spherical copper floats
4

BS 1968:1953
Nominal Class A Class B Class C
outside Volume of Weight of Free Weight of Free- Weight of Free
diameter sphere Useful Lifting Useful Lifting Useful Lifting
shell floating shell floating shell floating
of float volume effort volume effort volume effort
(min.) volume (min.) volume (min.) volume

in. cu. in. lb. cu. in. cu. in. lb. lb. cu. in. cu. in. lb. lb. cu. in. cu. in. lb.

41/2 48 0.25 7 17 0.61 0.25 7 17 0.61 0.39 11 13 0.46

5 65 0.328 9 23 0.84 0.328 9 23 0.84 0.515 14 18 0.65
6 113 0.476 13 43 1.56 0.476 13 43 1.56 0.843 23 33 1.19

7 180 1.074 30 60 2.16 1.074 30 60 2.16 1.187 53 57 2.05

8 268 1.425 40 94 3.38 1.425 40 94 3.38 1.875 52 82 2.95
9 382 1.782 50 141 5.07 1.782 50 141 5.07 2.06 57 134 4.82

10 524 2.197 61 201 7.23 2.197 61 201 7.23 3.62 100 162 5.83
11 697 2.755 77 271 9.75 2.755 77 271 9.75 4.21 117 231 8.31
12 905 3.207 89 363 13.06 3.207 89 363 13.06 4.85 135 317 11.41
NOTE The lifting effort figures are calculated for the minimum weight of shell in each class.
© BSI 10-1999
 BS 1968:1953

Table 2 — Classification of bosses for use with classes A, B and C floats

Sizes of BS 1212a ballvalve
Classification Appropriate float diameter
Dia. of flange BS Whit. tapping bodies with which floats are
No. of boss (if spherical)
to be used

in. in. in. in.

1 1 min. 5
/16 4 /2 and 5
1

2 17/16 5/
16 6  3/8,1/2 and 3/4

3 13/4 5/
16 7
3A 13/4 7
/16 6 and 7 
4 21/4 7
/16 8 and 9 1

4A 21/4 9
/16 8 and 9  1
5 23/4 9
/16 10 and 11  1 /4 and 11/2
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
5A 23/4 5/
8 10, 11 and 12 
2
6 With 2 straps 5
/8 12 (alternative to 5A) 
a
BS 1212, “Ballvalves (“Portsmouth” type) excluding floats”.

© BSI 10-1999 5
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 March 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
6

BS 1968:1953
Table 3a — Bosses for classes A and C floats with soldered and brazed joints
Classification number of boss
Dimension Description
1 2 3 3A 4 4A 5 5A 6
in. in. in. in. in. in. in. in. in.
A BS Whitworth tapping of boss 5
/16 5
/16 5
/16 7
/16 7
/16 9
/16 9
/16 5
/8 5
/8
cB Axial length of thread 5/ 5/ 1/ 1/ 9/ 5/ 3/ 3/ 3/
16 16 2 2 16 8 4 4 4
cC Diameter of barrel or, if tappered, diameter
of small end 0.500 0.656 0.687 0.687 0.812 0.812 0.875 0.875 0.938
D Diameter of flange 1 min. 17/16 13/4 13/4 21/4 21/4 23/4 23/4 —
c
E Face of flange to end of boss 0.688 0.750 1.000 1.000 1.250 1.250 1.500 1.500 1.500
a
F Height of dome (inside) 0.187 0.187 0.250 0.250 0.328 0.328 0.375 0.375 0.375
a
G Thickness of metal (dome) 0.062 0.062 0.078 0.078 0.109 0.109 0.125 0.125 0.250
H Width of face 0.062 0.078 0.078 0.078 0.109 0.109 0.140 0.140 —
J Thickness of metal at bottom of tapped hole 0.062 0.062 0.062 0.062 0.109 0.109 0.109 0.109 0.109
bK Radius of dome 0.250 0.250 0.328 0.328 0.437 0.437 0.515 0.515 —
L Depth of slot for seam 
M Width of slot for seam  To accommodate the seam of the joint on float
© BSI 10-1999

a Dimensions “F” and “G”. When so desired the manufacturer may regard these as one dimension for a solid instead of hollow flange.
b
Dimension “K” This dimension may be disregarded for solid flanges.
c Dimensions “B” “C” and “E” These dimensions shall be regarded as minima.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 March 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
© BSI 10-1999

This sketch indicates dimensions only and is not intended to show design.
Table 3b — Bosses for class B floats with solderless joints
Classification number of boss
Dimension Description
1 2 3 3A 4 4A 5 5A

in. in. in. in. in. in. in. in.

A BS Whitworth tapping of boss 5
/16 5
/16 5
/16 7
/16 7
/16 9
/16 9
/16 5
/8
a
B Axial length of thread 5
/16 5
/16 1
/2 1
/2 9
/16 5
/8 3
/4 3
/4
aC Diameter of barrel or, if tapered, diameter of small end 0.500 0.656 0.687 0.687 0.812 0.812 0.875 0.875
aD Diameter of flange or fitment 11/4 17/16 13/4 13/4 21/4 21/4 23/4 23/4
a
G Thickness of flange 0.062 0.062 0.078 0.078 0.109 0.109 0.125 0.125
a
J Thickness of metal at bottom of tapped hole 0.062 0.062 0.062 0.062 0.109 0.109 0.109 0.109
a
Dimension “B”, “C”, “D”, “G” and “J”. These dimension shall be regarded as manima.

BS 1968:1953
7
 BS 1968:1953

Table 4 — Weight of boss for classes A and C

floats and of boss and fitments for class B
floats
Classification number of boss Weight of boss

lb. oz.
1 0.062 1
2 0.086 13/8
3 0.140 21/4

3A 0.140 21/4
4 0.250 4
4A 0.250 4
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5 0.406 61/2
5A 0.406 61/2
6 0.718 111/2
Table 5 — Assembled weight of spherical copper floats including solder or other jointing
material
(to nearest 1/4 oz.)

Classification Weight of floats

Diameter of float
number of boss Class A Class B Class C

in. lb. oz lb. oz. lb. oz.

41/2 1 5 5 71/4
5 1 61/4 61/4 91/4
6 2 9 9 143/4
6 3 or 3A 93/4 93/4 153/4

7 3 or 3A 1 31/2 1 31/2 1 51/4

8 4 or 4A 1 11 1 11 2 2
9 4 or 4A 2 01/2 2 01/2 2 5

10 5 or 5A 2 93/4 2 93/4 4 01/2

11 5 or 5A 3 21/2 3 21/2 4 10
12 5A 3 10 3 10 5 4
12 6 3 15 — 5 9

8 © BSI 10-1999
 BS 1968:1953

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© BSI 10-1999
 BS 1968:1953

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